Biodiversity and landscapes: European LIFE funding programme

May 2024

The LIFE programme is a financial instrument of the European Commission, dedicated to supporting innovative projects, both private and public, in the fields of environment and climate. Each year, the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion selects and assists French project leaders to help them meet the expectations of the European Commission.

Presentation of the LIFE 2021-2027 programme

For the period 2021-2027, the LIFE programme has a budget of €5.4 billion at European level, divided into 4 sub-programmes:

Nature and Biodiversity - With a budget of €2.14 billion, this sub-programme focuses on the protection and restoration of natural areas and protected species.
Circular Economy and Quality of Life - With a budget of €1.34 billion, this sub-programme aims to promote a sustainable and circular economy, notably through better management of resources such as water, soil and raw materials, and combating all forms of pollution.
Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation - This sub-programme has €947 million to support efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change and adapt to its consequences.
Clean Energy Transition - With funding of €997 million, this sub-programme supports the transition to clean and sustainable energy sources, in particular by structuring players, providing tools and strengthening skills.

Main objectives of the LIFE programme

To help achieve the transition to a sustainable, circular economy based on renewable, carbon-neutral and resilient energies.
Protect, restore and enhance our environment.
To slow and reverse the loss of biodiversity.
Stop the degradation of ecosystems, by managing and improving the Natura 2000 network, and thus accelerate sustainable development.
Encourage and support green ideas for small and large businesses, NGOs, public authorities, citizens’ groups, academics and others.

Beneficiary projects

LIFE funds projects designed to :

Develop, demonstrate and promote innovative techniques, methods and approaches to achieve EU environmental objectives.
Contribute to the development, implementation, monitoring and enforcement of EU environmental legislation and policy.
Catalyse the large-scale deployment of effective technical or strategic solutions to implement EU environmental legislation and policy.

CAUTION: LIFE does not co-finance research or infrastructure projects. LIFE mainly finances projects that are « close to the market », proposing innovative and demonstrative solutions that have a positive impact on the environment, waste management, the circular economy or climate change mitigation.

Eligible project sponsors

Both public and private organisations are eligible for LIFE funding. Applicants must be legal entities registered in the European Union or countries associated with the LIFE programme (list of participating countries). Project promoters must be legal entities registered in the EU:

Public organisations (administration, national or local authorities, etc.),
Private organisations (SMEs, companies, etc.),
Private non-commercial organisations (such as NGOs).

Geographical area concerned

This includes Europe, the EU’s outermost regions and overseas countries and territories.

Legal basis

The LIFE programme is governed by a regulation and a multiannual work programme (implementing decision). Each year, a call for projects is published for each priority area, setting out the conditions and criteria for eligibility.

The LIFE programme 2021-2027 is governed by Regulation 2021/783 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a programme for the environment and climate action (LIFE).
The multi-annual work programme 2021-2024 sets out the arrangements for implementing the regulation during the first programming period.